Federer beats Wawrinka for fifth Indian Wells title

Update:
March, 20/2017 - 11:53

|

Roger Federer of Switzerland holds the BNP Paribas Open trophy aloft after his straight sets victory against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland in the mens final during day fourteen of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 19, in Indian Wells, California. — AFP Photo

INDIAN WELLS, United States – Roger Federerclaimed a record-equalling fifth ATP Indian Wells Masters title on Sunday,continuing his career resurgence with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Stan Wawrinka.

Federer, sidelined some six months after knee surgery last year, returnedto win his 18th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January.

With Sunday’s triumph in the all-Swiss final, Federer joined Novak Djokovicas the only men to win five Indian Wells titles, adding to those he won in2004, 2005, 2006 and 2012.

At 35, Federer is the oldest ATP player to win one of the elite Masterstitles, supplanting Andre Agassi who was 34 when he won in Cincinnati in 2004.

"It’s been just a fairytale week once again," said Federer, who missedIndian Wells last year because of injury.

"I’m not as surprised as I was in Australia, but still this comes as a big,big surprise to me, nevertheless, to win here again and beating the playersthat I did and the way I did.

"I couldn’t be more happy. It’s an absolute, huge start to the year for me.

Last year I didn’t win any titles. I don’t think I was in any finals exceptmaybe Brisbane last year. The change is dramatic, and it feels great."

The speedy progress means 10th-ranked Federer will have to reassess his2017 goals. Prior to the Australian Open his aim was to get his ranking to ashigh as eighth by the time Wimbledon was over.

"The goals are clearly changing after this dream start," Federer said.

While Federer had won 19 of 22 prior meetings with Wawrinka – including asemi-final win in Melbourne – he noted that his compatriot would be no easymark as he played his first tournament in America since winning the US Open inSeptember.

But Federer claimed a tightly contested first set with a break in the 10thgame, pushing Wawrinka into a forehand error to end a tense rally for a setpoint, on which Wawrinka sent another forehand long.

Wawrinka responded immediately with a break to open the first set – afterFederer had held all 42 of his service games in the tournament to that point.

He had saved the lone break point he faced– in his straight-sets thumpingof Rafael Nadal in the fourth round – but sent a backhand long on break pointto give Wawrinka the advantage in the set.

Wawrinka then withstood two break points to hold for a 2-0 lead, whichproved short-lived as Federer won the next three games to take a 3-2 lead.

Wawrinka a Federer fan

Finally Wawrinka found himself serving to save the match. A backhand intothe net gave Federer a chance, and he seized it with a volley winner.

"I’ve lost some tough ones against you, but when you played the final inAustralia, I was your biggest fan," a choked up Wawrinka told Federer at thetrophy ceremony. "So congratulations on your comeback and congratulations ontoday."

Although he owns three Grand Slam titles, Wawrinka was playing in just hisfourth Masters final and has won just one of the prestige events – beatingFederer in the final at Monte Carlo in 2014.

"It’s a tough loss," he said. "In a way, I’m really happy to make thefinal. It’s a great result on that, but you always want more."

After fearing that knee trouble in the wake of the Australian Open wouldslow his season, Wawrinka was pleased to play at a high level.

"After Australia, I wasn’t in a good position," he said. "I was really,really struggling with my knee. I wasn’t sure to be back here in that levelthat quick.